Beginner tips: how to change your Canon lenses

A major benefit of using a DSLR is that you can choose from a variety of lenses suited to particular photographic situations, but knowing how to change lenses safely to avoid damaging your lens or the inside of your camera is one of the first photography tips for beginners that one should learn.

Below we explain step-by-step how to change lenses on your camera.

Step 1
Don’t do this in a dusty atmosphere. Ideally, switch lenses indoors or sheltered from the wind to avoid dust or dirt reaching your camera’s sensor.

Step 2
Lay your camera on its back on a soft surface, such as a jacket or kit bag, to protect your rear LCD, and so you’ll have both hands free to switch lenses.

Step 3
Have your new lens within reach to minimise the amount of time your DSLR’s innards are open to the elements to stop dust getting in.

Step 4
Use your left hand to press down on the Lens Release Button, use your right hand to turn your lens in an anticlockwise direction and pull clear.

Step 5
Put the lens down to one side. Remove the dust cap from the lens mount of the replacement lens and put it on the lens you’ve just removed.

Step 6
For Canon EF and third-party lenses, line up the red dots on the lens and camera. For EF-S lenses, line up the white squares on the lens and camera.

Step 7
Slot the lens in, turn it clockwise until your hear it click. Take the lens cap off your replacement lens and you’re ready to take some pictures!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 26th, 2012 at 9:00 am and is filed under Canon D-SLR Skills, Photography Tutorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed.